Sure enough, the eldest uncle immediately expressed disagreement when Xia Mian revealed her plan to go to Yan City, “Why do you suddenly think of moving so far away?”
Thinking that Xia Mian wanted to compete with Xia Li, he said again, “Don’t follow Lili’s example. Even if she goes to Yan City, she’s just working there. Your education will surely make you better off than her.”
“That’s not it,” Xia Mian patiently explained, “Yan City has better educational resources, which is good for Xiao Feng. You’ve seen it yourself, he’s very smart, so I thought moving to a big city would be better.”
She then looked towards Ning Shaoyun.
“Uncle,” Ning Shaoyun started, “this idea was actually mine.”
“I don’t know if Xia Mian has told you about how she saved me and Chenchen,” Ning Shaoyun mentioned, still feeling lingering fear whenever she recalled this incident, “If it weren’t for Xia Mian, Chenchen would have ended up in the hands of human traffickers, and my life would have been over.”
The eldest uncle was taken aback, glancing at his niece with surprise. Xia Mian had indeed informed them of this matter before, but she mentioned it so casually that they thought it was just something trivial. Who knew it was actually a life-saving grace?
“Xia Mian didn’t ask for anything in return, but I’ve always wanted to do something for them.”
“It’s also a coincidence that our apartment units are directly above and below each other. We interacted a lot, and I see that Xia Mian loves to study and Xiao Feng is also very smart.”
“So I thought paying the grace with money was crude—it would be more meaningful to provide them with good educational opportunities instead. The kids can gain skills on their own, which is just right. Don’t you agree, Uncle?” Ning Shaoyun spoke softly yet persuasively, clearly swaying Eldest Uncle Xia. Any elders who cared about their children could hardly resist the opportunity for them to succeed.
Ning Shaoyun then proceeded to outline her plan, “We have a vacant courtyard house in Yan City. It was old and a bit run-down, but within the vicinity of Yan University’s affiliated high school and a bilingual kindergarten. The teaching staff is excellent, and Xia Mian and Xiao Feng can both attend school there.”
“The college admission rate from Yan University’s affiliated high school is very good. Every year, a lot of students are recommended to Yan University, and fifty percent get into top national universities. Most of the graduates attend universities, and only a very small percentage failed to pass the entrance exams.”
“As long as Xia Mian studies hard, even if she can’t get into Yan University, she can still attend a decent university.”
This hit the mark, as, aside from the miserly second uncle, everyone else in the Xia family strived to provide the best education possible for the children.
However, with the educational level in this county, only a few high school graduates manage to get into any university each year, let alone top institutions like Yan University.
The eldest uncle rubbed his hands, “Wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you, looking after two kids and all? And the tuition fees, are they expensive there?”
No one realized when Second Uncle Xia slipped in through the front door until he suddenly interjected, “They are so…” wealthy!
“Second brother,” Xia Wenyue cut him off expressionlessly, clear warning in her eyes.
Second Uncle Xia shrank back, not daring to speak further.
Everyone quietly sighed in relief, not wanting to expose family troubles in front of the Ning siblings.
Eldest Uncle Xia tried to save face, saying, “My second brother just meant to say that you’re so caring, it’s making us feel embarrassed.”
“Actually, you don’t need to be so concerned,” Ning Shaoyun replied. “Xia Mian handles things very competently. You see how well she takes care of Xiao Feng.”
Everyone agreed with this. Every step Xia Mian took when handling the situation against Zhang Qiming demonstrated her capability, matching that of an adult. This was also why the eldest uncle didn’t dismiss the idea immediately.
“Not to hide from you, my proposal is also somewhat selfish,” Ning Shaoyun admitted with a smile. “I really like Xia Mian; she’s clever and capable. I am sure I can use her help once she graduates.”
“Furthermore, regarding Xiao Feng, he and my son get along well. My Chenchen is the only child, and I’m not planning to have more. I thought it would be good for them to grow up together, and they could look after each other like real brothers.”
With Ning Shaoyun putting it this way, the so-called repayment sounded more like mutual aid between like-minded individuals. The Xia family felt much more at ease, and Ning Shaoyun gave them another reassurance, “Actually, their schooling won’t cost much. Our country values education, and the high school fees in Yan City are similar to those in Ming City. Furthermore, since elementary and junior high are part of compulsory education, Xiao Feng will only spend money on textbooks and study supplies.”
“If they do well in their studies, there are scholarships available, enough to support them until graduating.”
Although the Xia family wasn’t ignorant, they had never ventured out, so they weren’t aware that Ning Shaoyun was referring to local students. Hearing that the schooling was affordable eased their last bit of concern.
Unless absolutely necessary, they didn’t want Xia Mian and Xiao Feng to rely on other people’s support for education, as that would put the children in a difficult position where they couldn’t speak up if mistreated.
Xia Mian added, “The money my mother left is enough to put me through college. And you don’t need to worry about Xiao Feng; once Zhang Qiming is sentenced, the factory said they’d give Xiao Feng the apartment.”
“Once we sell it, we could expect to get about fifty or sixty thousand, which should cover Xiao Feng’s education until high school.”
Xia Mian didn’t mention the matter of the stamps—human nature being what it is, she didn’t want to put it to the test if she could avoid it.
“Go!” Xia Wenyue decided firmly, knowing too well the importance of education and life opportunities. She turned to Ning Shaoyun and said, “Miss Ning, then we’ll have to trouble you to look after Xia Mian and Xiao Feng.”
“If they are promising, they should be allowed to strive on their own. If they’re not up to the task or behave inappropriately, you can send them back to us.”
She also told Xia Mian, “Once you’re there, just focus on your studies. If there’s anything, call home, and your second aunt will find a way to help you!”
Suddenly, Grandma Xia, who had been quiet until now, spoke up from her seat at the center, “I think it’s not quite right for the two kids to go by themselves; they need someone to look after them. Since you all are busy and can’t get away, I’ll go with them.”
Her remark caught everyone off guard, causing all eyes to turn towards her.
Grandma Xia smoothed her clothes, her face exuded kindness as she gently spoke to Ning Shaoyun, “Mianmian and Xiao Feng are still minors; it’s indeed a bit improper to let them go without an adult’s supervision. We can’t trouble you too much, but since I’m their biological grandmother, I’ll go and take care of them.”
The Xia family frowned simultaneously. Except for the Ning siblings, everyone knew what the grandma was up to. She saw that the two children were going to Yan City, so she wanted to go along to enjoy the benefits.
With Xia Mian and Xiao Feng busy studying, the Ning family would undoubtedly treat them well. By then, relying on Xia Mian and Xiao Feng’s status as Chenchen’s savior, she could act entitled on behalf of her senior age, and who would have the heart to say anything?
Help? Not causing trouble would be good enough.
Not wanting to air family problems in front of outsiders, Eldest Uncle Xia diplomatically said, “Auntie, you are already quite old now, and Yan City is not close. The children might end up having to take care of you, which worries us even more.”
“Yan City isn’t far, isn’t Mianmian going with Dr. Ning and his sister?” Grandma Xia argued, “My health is fine, I can handle going up and down the mountains without any problems. Doing some cooking and cleaning at their place won’t be too hard.”
Obviously, she had made up her mind to go.
Xia Mian was about to directly refuse when Xia Wenyue held her back and gave her a wink.
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